Presbyterian | Fall 2019 | Your Story

www.phs.org/centennialcare 9 Our commitment to your privacy— HIPAA Information about your health is deeply personal, and we work hard to protect it. Guarding these sensitive details about your life is our policy and practice. It’s also the law. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—often called HIPAA— is the federal law that gives you rights over your records. It applies to most doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and many other providers and programs. It also applies to hospitals, health plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. Because of HIPAA, you can: ● ● Ask to see your health records. You can also get a copy of your records for a reasonable fee. This is true even if you haven’t paid your bill. ● ● Add corrections to your health records. ● ● Request that certain people or providers not be given information about your health or treatment. ● ● Decide if you want to allow your health information to be used for certain purposes, like marketing. ● ● Get a report on when and why your information was shared or used. ● ● File a complaint if you think your rights or privacy have been violated. HIPAA spells out other rights too. For example, it allows you to ask to be contacted somewhere other than at home. That means you can ask to get test results where you want them, such as work. Whywe might share records There are some good—and approved— reasons to use or share patient information. We may need it to: ● ● Comply with laws, such as reporting the flu and other public health risks ● ● Coordinate your treatment and care ● ● Pay providers ● ● Analyze the quality of treatment, providers, and institutions, but remember: Your health information cannot be used or shared without your written permission, unless HIPAA allows it Got shots? Make sure your children are up-to-date on all their shots. Shots help your kids stay healthy all year long, especially during the cold winter months when the flu is around. No kid wants to skip recess or school because they’re sick. Not sure if your kid is up-to-date on all their shots? No problem! Call their doctor and they will be happy to check for you or you may call the immunization toll-free hotline at 1-800-232-4636 . Do you need to see a new doctor or want to know where your kid can get their shots? Go to https://nmhealth.org/ resource/view/1247 for an interactive map. Just simply enter your ZIP code or address to find the nearest doctor. Also, while your kids are at the doctor’s office, ask the doctor to complete a well- child visit for them if one is due. If your kids play sports, did you know that a well-child visit is FREE and includes a sports physical? That’s right! Don’t delay—take your kid today! Always vigilant (watchful) Protecting your private medical information is important to us, just as it is to you. We’re here to answer any questions you might have about your rights or about our responsibilities and safeguards. Visit www.phs.org to learn more.